1985 Volvo 740 GTOS 2.3L turbo I-4

Summary:

A lot of long term bang for the short term buck

Faults:

Road debris took out the A/C condenser.

Lower steering universal joint was binding.

Heated seats ceased to operate at 150,000 miles. No big deal.

Was built 19 years ago this month, and just starting to show some rust. I am in New England. This is amazing.

General Comments:

Amazingly sound car. I am still running on original springs and struts, and they are fine. Recent test shows factory compression at over 300,000 miles. This has been the best vehicle I am ever likely to own. In ten years, I have never had a break down, and safety-wise, its like driving a 130+ MPH bank vault. Still handles tighter than anything new and domestic short of a Vette.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th April, 2003

1985 Volvo 740 Wagon 2.3L

Summary:

Can't kill these wagons!

Faults:

Need a great value on a station wagon? I bought my 1985 from a doctor, truth is he drove it to the hospital every day. He had bought it from a Volvo rep when it had 200,000 miles on it. I just loved the car including the "faded grey" paint - like an old pair of jeans. I now have a 1989 Turbo 740 wagon.

General Comments:

Great value.

Does not turn heads, until they see the true odometer readings.

We to dealer for oil change, they bring out customers to see the old girl, and they close deals.

Odometer broke, wife used to drive 53 miles each way to work every day.

Wagon would not quit running, I just had a friend who needed a cheap reliable wagon, so I gave him a steal at $500!

He regularly drives the wagon across the U.S. - most recently from Tenn to Seattle Washington.

Best thing - these wagons are the most undervalued ride on the market - I like a whole lot better than my Honda Passport SUV.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th October, 2002

29th Jun 2004, 13:11

I bet your Volvo will hit the 700,000 mark easy, mine is just getting worn in at 300,000.

24th Sep 2010, 22:50

I heard that 80 percent of all the 700 series are still on the road. Thank goodness the other twenty percent have sacrificed themselves for parts.

1985 Volvo 740 GLE 4-Cylinder

Summary:

An expensive to fix tank

Faults:

Too many to remember them all.

I got the car in not too great condition, seeing as how it was used.

Volvos, as are most of them, are not very reliable when it comes to electrical problems. Many of the interior lights and other accessories such as the cigarette lighter take some knocking and banging and a little rewiring to get working.

Volvo interiors are such weaklings when it comes to weather wear. The sun has absolutely eaten my seats alive. Mainly fading all the color and weakening the fabric.

If you have a Volvo and live in a cold weathered region. You might wanna consider starting your car up early to warm it up. Volvos do not get along with the cold.

General Comments:

Volvos for the most part as I have heard and from my own experience are soldiers. They just won't die. Getting in a wreck is also a little bit more reassuring than other cars seeing as how they are built like tanks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th April, 2002

24th Jan 2004, 15:45

I acquired a Volvo 1985 GLE manual transmission, when it had 132,000 miles on it in 1998.The odometer went in 2003 march at 297,000 miles. At the rate I drive it should have well over 310,000 miles in Jan 2004 when the car died on the highway. The overdrive broke down in 2003 and my mechanic told me to drive in 4th speed. I drove to Hartford and back to NYC about three times a week in 4th speed. The car complained bitterly of car abuse and refused to go in Jan 2004. I would load the big trunk and the back seat with beauty products. My mechanic says I probably blew the head gasket. I have parked it to be fixed later. For now I am buying the 740 Turbo because I just can't give up a Volvo. The only thing I hated about this car is the roof lining. I hope to have a collection one day.

23rd Nov 2004, 11:51

I have two Volvo's right now a 740 gle estate and a 760 turbo saloon both have over 300,000 on them now and they are the best cars I have ever owned you're not the only 1 that wants a collection of them I do 2.

22nd Dec 2008, 10:46

That must just be your Volvo. My car starts and idles well in the cold. I have never heard of them having a hard time in the cold weather, in fact I have always heard they start and heat up quickly in cold. One thing that helps is hooking up the heat reabsorption hose, which tends to disconnect often.